Pine, Flatwoods and Dry Prairies

Scott Lees

Pine, Flatwoods and Dry Prairies

Scott Lees

The Land Of Flatland,Trees, And Hot land

This type of habit covers nearly 50% of the state of Florida and is the largest single ecological habitat. As the name suggests, the dominate vegetation consists of several species of pine, Live Oak, Water Oak, Sweet Gum, Red Maple and White Ash are other kinds of trees sometimes found in flatwoods. There are also a great many shrubs and as well as many types of grasses. Spanish Moss is common here and throughout the northern part of the state. It hangs from trees in long, thick masses that may reach 20' in length. Often this habitat can be found where lakes and ponds have been drained either due to subsidence (sinkholes) or man-made construction.

Abiotic

Abiotic means that it is non living, for example:That stone is Abiotic

This place is not aquatic

moist and dry soil take up land. the rocks are made of granite

the average temp is 75

Rock

Abiotic

Water

Abiotic

Dirt

Abiotic

Rock

Abiotic

Water

Abiotic

Dirt

Abiotic

Biotic

Biotic means that it is living, for example:Hey Jerry, you are Biotic

The Gopher Tortise

It is Biotic

The Eastern Diamond Back

It Is Biotic

The White Tailed Deer

It is Biotic

The Gopher Tortise

It is Biotic

The Eastern Diamond Back

It Is Biotic

The White Tailed Deer

It is Biotic

Pine Flatwoods and Dry Prairies

Dry prairie is a natural plant community of low shrubs and grasses occupying vast, level expanses of land. This community type is unique to Florida and is restricted to three major areas north and west of Lake Okeechobee. Dry prairies are notable for their lack of trees, although they are otherwise similar to pine flatwoods communities. Research suggests there is a combination of factors inhibiting the growth of pine trees. One reason is that natural fires occur more frequently in dry prairies. This community typically occupies large stretches of land that are not dissected by streams or by other features that might inhibit the spread of fire. In addition, dry prairies hold water after a heavy summer rainfall for a longer time than do pine flatwoods. These periods of prolonged flooding may also inhibit the growth of pine trees.

The Gopher Tortoise

The gopher tortoise (gopherus polyphemus) belongs to a group of land tortoises that originated in North America 60 million years ago, thus making it one of the oldest living species.Gopher tortoises are so named because of their ability to dig large, deep burrows. The gopher tortoise is unique in that it is one of the few tortoises to actually make large burrows. Many tortoises hide under vegetations or use very shallow burrows.